Clasp and lock fob mail-bags



UNrrED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

HENRY C. JONES, OF NEWVARIQNEW JERSEY.

CLASP. AND LOCK FORMAIL-BAGS.

f Specification of Letters Patent No. 440, datedi'October 23, 1837'.`

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY O. JONES, of Newark, in the county of Essexand State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement inClasps and Bolts for Mail- Bags, which is described as follows,reference being had to the annexed drawings of the same, making part ofthis specification.

A, a, Figure l, represent the clasp plates, to which the bag isattached, made in the ordinary mode. B, b, the rims around the outeredge of the clasp plates. C', C, C", three rectangular loops or eyesfastened at right angles to the clasp plate c, each of which beingbeveled on the outer edge, and one of them C is used in the manner ofacam acting on the inclined side of one of the hooks F in pushing backthe bolts. These eyes receive the hooks of the bolts for securing theclasp. D, is a cam raised on the Same plate with the eyes c, and is usedfor disengaging a spring guard, hereafter described, from the bolt, inclasping the clasp.

E, Figs. 1 and 2, represents the bolt: this consists of a curved pieceof metal of suitable length and thickness, on which are three hooks F,F, F, of a triangular shape for entering the eyes c, before described,the inclined side of hook F being acted on by the eye c', in pushingback the bolt. This bolt moves longitudinally in the angle of the plateand rim and is retained in its proper position by means of staples Grinserted into the plate and rim, through which the bolt slides.Shoulders J are formed on the bolts, which strike against the staples,and govern its movement either way. Between these shoulders the bolt isreduced in size. Another shoulder H, is formed on the bolt, near thecenter, against which a cam L strikes, turned by the keys, for throw-ying the bolt back, hereafter described.

I, Figs. l and 7, spiral spring at the end of the bolt for throwing itforward: One end of this spring is fastened to a pin inserted in theclasp plate: the other end bears against the end of the bolt.

K, Figs. 1 and 4, a cylinder on which are two cams, L, and M; one formoving the bolt E, the other M for moving the springguard S. One end ofthis cylinder turns in an aperture in the clasp plate, the other endturns in a brace O riveted to the clasp plate. In the center of thiscylinder and attached to it at one end is a round spindle s, Fig. 5,which passes through the clasp plate and `figures alike.

brace The cam M, Figsfl, 4, 5,'for raisingthe spring guard anddisengaging it from the bolt, is fastened on the end of the I spindleoutside the brace. The cam L, for throwing back the bolt-is fastened tothe cylinder between the clasp plate and brace and moves with thecylinder.

P, Fig. 6, the key, the stem of which is hollow to allow it to pass overthe spindle in the center of the cylinder and is notched at the end O toslip over arms R projecting from the spindle at right angles for turningthe Spindle, cylinder, and cams together.

S, Figs. l and'3,the spring guard. One end of this is fastened to a pin79 inserted in the clasp plate; the other end, Vwhich is formed with ashoulder, rests againstthe vertical side of the center hook forpreventing the bolt vbecoming disengaged from the other side of theclasp by a jar, or by any other accident.l v

T, Fig. l, spring for throwing open the clasp: One end of this spring isfastened to a pin inserted into the rim of the clasp; the other endbears against the clasp plate and contracts the spring when the clasp isclosed. U, vJoints of the clasp. See Fig. l. When the clasp is to beclosed the cam D pushes vup the spring guard S, contracts the spring,

and disengages it from the bolt E; eye C", which acts as a cam, passesupon the inclined side of hook F, and forces back the bolt, contractsthe spring', and continues to advance until the outer sides of the eveshave passed the points of the hooks when the spring I, drives the boltforward, the hooks entering the eyes, which thus Secures the clasp. Thespring T at the same time is contracted. I/Vhen the clasp is to beopened the key P is inserted over the spindle N, the arms R of whichentering the notches of the key, the key is then turned. This turns thespindle with the cams, the outer vone M raises the spring guard S anddisengages it from the bolt E. The inner cam L then comes in contactwith the Shoulder H on the bolt and forces it back, contracting thespring I and disengagingthe hooks F from y the eyes C. The spring Tfastened to the rim then throws open the clasp.

The letters of reference refer to all th The invention claimed by me,the said HENRY C. JoNEs, and which I desire to secure by Letters Patent,consistsl. In the bolt E for securing the clasp,

used in combination with said clasp, as before described.

2. The arrangement of the spring I for throwing forward the bolt, incombination 5 with said bolt and clasp.

3. The arrangement of the spring guard S, for securing the bolt, incombination with the bolt and clasp.

4. The combination and arrangement of f 10 the cams L, M, incomblnation' with said spring guard, bolt, and clasp, for raising thespring guardV and throwing back the bolt in the manner before described.

5; The cam D, for raising the spring guard to allow the bolt to recede,in closing 15 the clasp. HENRY C. JONES.

Witnesses JOHN S. DARM, RICHD. S. FARRAND.

